RECORD
of
The Courts of Chester County
1681-1697
The following excerpts are taken directly from the court records. I have left the original wording and inconsistent spelling. The "Y" of "ye" is not the modern "y" but the old letter "thorn" which represents the modern "th." Reading can be a bit tricky at first but you can soon follow the variations. Punctuation is almost non-existent.
To read the online text as published: https://archive.org/details/recordofcourtsof01penn/page/n6/mode/2up
To read the online text as published: https://archive.org/details/recordofcourtsof01penn/page/n6/mode/2up
Inventory of a Welsh Quaker Home. 1688
Thomas Powell and Calibe Pewsey Trustes of Joseph Powell being Called to make good their Complaint against Hester Gleves the Widdow of ye Said Joseph Powell the Said Widdow was Ordred to bring in a Trew Enventory of the Estate of George Gleves with an account of his Debts how paid and if She Should alter her Condition that She Should apply her Selfe to John Bristow James Sandilands and Samuell Levis to Take farther Care and Order in the matter and Soe She was Desmist this Court Edward Beazer brought in the Enventory of the Estate of his Decesed ffather Edward Beazer and it was Ordred that Two Sufficient Securityes to be given the next Court. The True appraisment of the Goods and Lands of Edward Bezer of Bethell Late Decesed the 28th of the 12 month 1688
4 Cows and Calfs £ 15 : 00
3 hafers £ 8: 00
3 2 yearlins Steers £ 6 : 00
2 youak of Oxen £ 18 : 00
2 yearlin Calves £ 2 : 05
1 Gray Gelding £ 5: 10
1 Black Mare & Colt if they are found
£ 8: 00
1 Cart and pear of Wheels one pear and Irons
£ 4
1 set of hors harness £ 1
1 Old Cart Line £ 0.3
90,lb of Irone plow geare att 7 d ye £.
£ 2.12
40Ib of puwt att 14d p £, £ 2
24lb of bel bras att lld ye £.4
Brought from below £ 74
128lb of Bras att 2s ye £ £ 12
1 warming pann £ 0.10
1 fouling peese £ 1
The best bed and beding with Cortins
£ 6
4 old bedes and beding £ 15
Edward Wareing Clothes £ 5 6
Table napkins 2 Old Table Cloaths
£0.12
132lb of Irone att 6 d a pound £ 3
3 Thume Laches and One pr of Stereps
£5
old Reep hookes £ . 04
Mason and Carpenters Tooles £ 6
Carrie To ye Other Syde £ 125
Sevrall brought from ye Other Syde being ye Inventory of Edward Beazer
£125
-------
3 Cow Bells £ 2
fforks 2 Old Irone Speeads 2 Old Sweif [?]
£1
Beame and Skeals £. 0.10
Waits and Musterd oull £ .9
1 Bible £ 0.15
1 frriing pan and Chest Locke £.0.05
1 Steel box Clancq and Other things
£ .0.05
1 Old Sadle One Old pade Old Saks
£0.05
2 Speening Wheels £0.10
1 flan and Household Lomber goods
£ 3
19 Sowes and hogs £ 12
Gees and ffoulls £0.12
200 Ackers Land Lying in Concord. £ 13
The Housing and Plantation Containing 500 ackers
£150
debts dew £ 4
1 Grind Stone £ : 10:
2 Thousand of pipe Staves £ 1 : 05 :
_______________
£311: 10
Nichlolas Nulen
Robert Piles
4 Cows and Calfs £ 15 : 00
3 hafers £ 8: 00
3 2 yearlins Steers £ 6 : 00
2 youak of Oxen £ 18 : 00
2 yearlin Calves £ 2 : 05
1 Gray Gelding £ 5: 10
1 Black Mare & Colt if they are found
£ 8: 00
1 Cart and pear of Wheels one pear and Irons
£ 4
1 set of hors harness £ 1
1 Old Cart Line £ 0.3
90,lb of Irone plow geare att 7 d ye £.
£ 2.12
40Ib of puwt att 14d p £, £ 2
24lb of bel bras att lld ye £.4
Brought from below £ 74
128lb of Bras att 2s ye £ £ 12
1 warming pann £ 0.10
1 fouling peese £ 1
The best bed and beding with Cortins
£ 6
4 old bedes and beding £ 15
Edward Wareing Clothes £ 5 6
Table napkins 2 Old Table Cloaths
£0.12
132lb of Irone att 6 d a pound £ 3
3 Thume Laches and One pr of Stereps
£5
old Reep hookes £ . 04
Mason and Carpenters Tooles £ 6
Carrie To ye Other Syde £ 125
Sevrall brought from ye Other Syde being ye Inventory of Edward Beazer
£125
-------
3 Cow Bells £ 2
fforks 2 Old Irone Speeads 2 Old Sweif [?]
£1
Beame and Skeals £. 0.10
Waits and Musterd oull £ .9
1 Bible £ 0.15
1 frriing pan and Chest Locke £.0.05
1 Steel box Clancq and Other things
£ .0.05
1 Old Sadle One Old pade Old Saks
£0.05
2 Speening Wheels £0.10
1 flan and Household Lomber goods
£ 3
19 Sowes and hogs £ 12
Gees and ffoulls £0.12
200 Ackers Land Lying in Concord. £ 13
The Housing and Plantation Containing 500 ackers
£150
debts dew £ 4
1 Grind Stone £ : 10:
2 Thousand of pipe Staves £ 1 : 05 :
_______________
£311: 10
Nichlolas Nulen
Robert Piles
Wolf Heads
The Grand Inquest doe alsoe allow of ye (the) Tax for ye Woolves heads and that Power be forthwith Issued forth to Compell those to pay that are behinde in their arrears And that receipts and disbursments thereof be made to ye grand Inquest att ye next County Court.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Likwise an account of the Tax for the Woules heads wch was I P hundred Accars & I hundred P head for freem and 6d . P head for Servants and Land nonresident on halfe more then resident.
Likewise what Woules heads have bin paid for or to pay for that they may be paid if any be out of purse or wether any Money remaine in hand.
Wee the Grand Inquest present this in the behalf of the County whereunto we have Subscribed our hands the 4th of the first Month 1689/90
Sexual Assault
This passage may not be for everyone. It does suggest that the early Quakers were not so "peaceable."
June 1693
The Decleration was Red (read)
And the Defendants Evidences was Called & Attested:
Elizebeth Woodyard being Attested Deposeth that the plaintive Philip yarnell came to her ffathers house to the best of her knowledge and Asked whether she was a woman and she an- swered she was all one as other women she thought and he said he would feele and she said that he should not and he said how should he know whether she was all on as other women If that he did not feele, since she was she that was to be his wife, and then he took her hand being stronger than shee and put Into his Codpise and would have her to feele his member how they went limber or stifer and the Deponant further saith that a nother night he ye (the) said d Plantife came to her fathers house and then he Asked her sister Mary for to keepe her up and she said that she would doe what she could to do it and when she the Deponant did see him com in she ran oute into a nother Roome and Cacht hoult on the bed post and he followed her and Cacht hoult of her and lift her on the bed and they lay downe on the bed and she being Awake 3 nights before was very sleepy & she fell asleep and thought she might sleepe neare an hour or there abouts and as she was sleeping shee thought she felt her cloaths to goe up and her feete to move and she Awakeing Asked him how he could be soe wickedly and come from such a good meetting and then she Cryed bitterly And Att last he wept and Asked her for forgiveness and that he would kneele Downe on his beare knees to Aske her forgivenes and she said that she did not Desier any such thinge nor would never have any thinge to Doe with him more and saith further that when she Did Awake she Did happen with her arme to strike him and with her hand unawares she felt his members which Did a fright her very much further saith not John Joans being Attested Deposeth that when he was Att the Plantives house that the said Plantive asked what Peopell George Woodyard and his wife was and he said that they weare sivell People for ought he knew and the Plantive said that he would Goe try his Dafter (daughter) Elizebeth and see what he could Doe with her and that If that hee could not prevaile with her he would serve such a trick (treachery) that she was never served In her life before and further saith not Mary Woodyard being Attested saith that the Plantife Did forse her sister Elizebeth Upon the bed shee Did see it and went away because she thought that he was an honest man Sarah Smedlye being Attested Deposeth that she did heare Philip yarnell confess that he had been foolish in soe much that somthing scattered from him which was his seed and that she hard Elizebeth Woodyard say she did not know what was In his mind John Worolo Being Attested for the Plantive saith that he and the Plantive Philip yarnell came to George Woodyards house together and that he did see the plantive and the two Girls and another man whose name is John Golden Asked Elizebeth whether Philip yarnall Did goe to forse her or no and she said no Its was ods betwene A mans breaking A house and Atempting to do it. John Golden being Attested Deposeth as the Aforsaid John Woroloe Did before ffrances Yarnell being Attested for the Plantive Deposeth that he went A longe with his BrotherPhilip yarnell to George Woodyards house and saith that he asked George Woodyard to let them com face to face and the ould woman said she should not unless an officer came because he came to trapan them and the Girls said that he would never a (have) forst her nor Did not know whether she was man or woman and After they came oute of the house that George Woodyard said he would not a had (have had) his Dafter to a made words about it The verdit of the Juery is we of the Petty Juery Doe ffind ffor the Plantive Cost of suit and two Pence damage. Richard Parker fforeman.
The Decleration was Red (read)
And the Defendants Evidences was Called & Attested:
Elizebeth Woodyard being Attested Deposeth that the plaintive Philip yarnell came to her ffathers house to the best of her knowledge and Asked whether she was a woman and she an- swered she was all one as other women she thought and he said he would feele and she said that he should not and he said how should he know whether she was all on as other women If that he did not feele, since she was she that was to be his wife, and then he took her hand being stronger than shee and put Into his Codpise and would have her to feele his member how they went limber or stifer and the Deponant further saith that a nother night he ye (the) said d Plantife came to her fathers house and then he Asked her sister Mary for to keepe her up and she said that she would doe what she could to do it and when she the Deponant did see him com in she ran oute into a nother Roome and Cacht hoult on the bed post and he followed her and Cacht hoult of her and lift her on the bed and they lay downe on the bed and she being Awake 3 nights before was very sleepy & she fell asleep and thought she might sleepe neare an hour or there abouts and as she was sleeping shee thought she felt her cloaths to goe up and her feete to move and she Awakeing Asked him how he could be soe wickedly and come from such a good meetting and then she Cryed bitterly And Att last he wept and Asked her for forgiveness and that he would kneele Downe on his beare knees to Aske her forgivenes and she said that she did not Desier any such thinge nor would never have any thinge to Doe with him more and saith further that when she Did Awake she Did happen with her arme to strike him and with her hand unawares she felt his members which Did a fright her very much further saith not John Joans being Attested Deposeth that when he was Att the Plantives house that the said Plantive asked what Peopell George Woodyard and his wife was and he said that they weare sivell People for ought he knew and the Plantive said that he would Goe try his Dafter (daughter) Elizebeth and see what he could Doe with her and that If that hee could not prevaile with her he would serve such a trick (treachery) that she was never served In her life before and further saith not Mary Woodyard being Attested saith that the Plantife Did forse her sister Elizebeth Upon the bed shee Did see it and went away because she thought that he was an honest man Sarah Smedlye being Attested Deposeth that she did heare Philip yarnell confess that he had been foolish in soe much that somthing scattered from him which was his seed and that she hard Elizebeth Woodyard say she did not know what was In his mind John Worolo Being Attested for the Plantive saith that he and the Plantive Philip yarnell came to George Woodyards house together and that he did see the plantive and the two Girls and another man whose name is John Golden Asked Elizebeth whether Philip yarnall Did goe to forse her or no and she said no Its was ods betwene A mans breaking A house and Atempting to do it. John Golden being Attested Deposeth as the Aforsaid John Woroloe Did before ffrances Yarnell being Attested for the Plantive Deposeth that he went A longe with his BrotherPhilip yarnell to George Woodyards house and saith that he asked George Woodyard to let them com face to face and the ould woman said she should not unless an officer came because he came to trapan them and the Girls said that he would never a (have) forst her nor Did not know whether she was man or woman and After they came oute of the house that George Woodyard said he would not a had (have had) his Dafter to a made words about it The verdit of the Juery is we of the Petty Juery Doe ffind ffor the Plantive Cost of suit and two Pence damage. Richard Parker fforeman.
Pig Tales (Try to figure what happened here.)
The Declaration was read The answer was read
Allen Robenett being Attested declareth that he knew the boore of ye Plt (plaintiff) Joshua Hastings and that to ye best of his knowledge it was ye same boore and further saith not ffrancis Baldwin being Attested declareth that ye boore in possession of ffrancis Yarnall was ye Plts boore & that he saw the said Boore att Allen Robenetts Bandall Mailen being Attested declareth that he being att ye House of Allen Robenett he did there as he was told see ye Plts boore and that the boore as he was alsoe told by said Robenett was Bitten in the stones (testicles) by David Ogdens dog he was alsoe told ye same by John Holstone John Hastins being Attested declareth that he did with his owne knife marke ye Plts Boore and that sd (said) boore was att home all one Sumer and all the Winter following and that he saw him noe more Butt heard of him and that he never saw him att all untill he saw him att ffra Yarnalls and doe further more declare y (that) he knew it to be ye Plts Boore William Mailen being Attested declareth that he did see a sandy Collowrd Boore butt he knew not whose it was and further saith not Judith Colvert being Attested declareth there was a Boore y’ (that) kept Company with their Swine Butt afterward shee did hear yl (that) ye Boore was ye Plts Boore and that he went from thence and was away some time and when he came againe he had been Bitten on ye right side of ye stones as shee thinks Butt when ffrancis Yarnall came to their House to see ye Boore he said he did thinke this Boores marke was very much like his and that ye Boore was of a lighter Collour then his and further saith not. George Maris tlio Elder being Attested for ye Defend1 Declareth that lie knew ffrancis Yarnall did Brid (breed)a Boore of a Sandy Collour And that he have often Served him with meat and that his marke was ye Defendt marke and after ye Defend’ etching home ye said Boore Called upon this deponent to vew ye said Boore And according to ye best of his Judgment both by ye marke and by ye Stones and in every respect both of grouth and shap (growth and shape) it was the Defendts Boore John Calvert being Attested for ye Defend’ declareth that ye Boore which ffrancis Yarnall tooke away was about three months att times att his House and afterward about ye 1st moneth ffran Yarnall ye Defend1 tooke him away and that ye Boore was Bitten behind on ye right side of ye stones. John fTox being Attested for ye Defend1 declareth y’ (that) he Knew ye Boore and y’ (that) he had one stone hanging downe lower then ye other and that he was Bitten by the dogs on ye right side of ye Stones. Jane Calvert being Attested declareth that ffrancis Yarnall came to John Calverts and did there drive a Boore into ye Hog yard and did there say that he thought his Boore was of a lighter Collour and that ye marke was not altogether like his marke and further saith not Margrett Hollingsworth being Attested declareth that ye Boore was a Right Boore Before he was Bitten and that he was supposed to be Joshua Hastings Boore by ye neighborhood and that ye Boore was there most part of ye Winter Caleb Puzie (Pusey) being Attested declareth that ffrancis Yarnall did enquire of him whether there was not a Boore about his House with one stone Who told him he had seen a strange Boore there Thomas Bristow being Attested declareth for ye Defend‘ that he did certainly know ye said Boore and y’ (that) it was ye very Boore of ye Defend’ ffrancis Yarnall John Maris being Attested for ye Defend’ declareth that he had knowledge of ye Defend’ ffrancis Yarnalls Boore and when the said Boore was Brought againe by ye Defend’ he knew it Certainly to be ye same Boore and further saith not George Maris ye Younger being Attested for ye Defend’ declareth that he had certain knowledge of ffrancis Yarnalls Boore and that it was ye same Boore which ffrancis Yarnall brought to them to vew when he fetcht him home. John Hallawell being Attested for ye Defend’ declareth ye Boore was att his House & that it was ye same Boore which he saw att ye latter end of ye Sumer and y’ (that) ye Boore was att Jacob Symcocks and he Believes it was ye Defend’ ffrs Yarnalls Boore The Jury finde for ye Plaintife twenty five shillings with Cost of Suite Hereupon Judgment is granted Upon which y° Defend’ makes his Appeale to ye next Court of Equity held for this County 'In an action of Scandall and Mouns Peterson PI1 Mort Mortenson Defend’ Defamation Withdrawne upon Condition that ye Defend’ Mort Mortenson pay the Cost of Suite
Allen Robenett being Attested declareth that he knew the boore of ye Plt (plaintiff) Joshua Hastings and that to ye best of his knowledge it was ye same boore and further saith not ffrancis Baldwin being Attested declareth that ye boore in possession of ffrancis Yarnall was ye Plts boore & that he saw the said Boore att Allen Robenetts Bandall Mailen being Attested declareth that he being att ye House of Allen Robenett he did there as he was told see ye Plts boore and that the boore as he was alsoe told by said Robenett was Bitten in the stones (testicles) by David Ogdens dog he was alsoe told ye same by John Holstone John Hastins being Attested declareth that he did with his owne knife marke ye Plts Boore and that sd (said) boore was att home all one Sumer and all the Winter following and that he saw him noe more Butt heard of him and that he never saw him att all untill he saw him att ffra Yarnalls and doe further more declare y (that) he knew it to be ye Plts Boore William Mailen being Attested declareth that he did see a sandy Collowrd Boore butt he knew not whose it was and further saith not Judith Colvert being Attested declareth there was a Boore y’ (that) kept Company with their Swine Butt afterward shee did hear yl (that) ye Boore was ye Plts Boore and that he went from thence and was away some time and when he came againe he had been Bitten on ye right side of ye stones as shee thinks Butt when ffrancis Yarnall came to their House to see ye Boore he said he did thinke this Boores marke was very much like his and that ye Boore was of a lighter Collour then his and further saith not. George Maris tlio Elder being Attested for ye Defend1 Declareth that lie knew ffrancis Yarnall did Brid (breed)a Boore of a Sandy Collour And that he have often Served him with meat and that his marke was ye Defendt marke and after ye Defend’ etching home ye said Boore Called upon this deponent to vew ye said Boore And according to ye best of his Judgment both by ye marke and by ye Stones and in every respect both of grouth and shap (growth and shape) it was the Defendts Boore John Calvert being Attested for ye Defend’ declareth that ye Boore which ffrancis Yarnall tooke away was about three months att times att his House and afterward about ye 1st moneth ffran Yarnall ye Defend1 tooke him away and that ye Boore was Bitten behind on ye right side of ye stones. John fTox being Attested for ye Defend1 declareth y’ (that) he Knew ye Boore and y’ (that) he had one stone hanging downe lower then ye other and that he was Bitten by the dogs on ye right side of ye Stones. Jane Calvert being Attested declareth that ffrancis Yarnall came to John Calverts and did there drive a Boore into ye Hog yard and did there say that he thought his Boore was of a lighter Collour and that ye marke was not altogether like his marke and further saith not Margrett Hollingsworth being Attested declareth that ye Boore was a Right Boore Before he was Bitten and that he was supposed to be Joshua Hastings Boore by ye neighborhood and that ye Boore was there most part of ye Winter Caleb Puzie (Pusey) being Attested declareth that ffrancis Yarnall did enquire of him whether there was not a Boore about his House with one stone Who told him he had seen a strange Boore there Thomas Bristow being Attested declareth for ye Defend‘ that he did certainly know ye said Boore and y’ (that) it was ye very Boore of ye Defend’ ffrancis Yarnall John Maris being Attested for ye Defend’ declareth that he had knowledge of ye Defend’ ffrancis Yarnalls Boore and when the said Boore was Brought againe by ye Defend’ he knew it Certainly to be ye same Boore and further saith not George Maris ye Younger being Attested for ye Defend’ declareth that he had certain knowledge of ffrancis Yarnalls Boore and that it was ye same Boore which ffrancis Yarnall brought to them to vew when he fetcht him home. John Hallawell being Attested for ye Defend’ declareth ye Boore was att his House & that it was ye same Boore which he saw att ye latter end of ye Sumer and y’ (that) ye Boore was att Jacob Symcocks and he Believes it was ye Defend’ ffrs Yarnalls Boore The Jury finde for ye Plaintife twenty five shillings with Cost of Suite Hereupon Judgment is granted Upon which y° Defend’ makes his Appeale to ye next Court of Equity held for this County 'In an action of Scandall and Mouns Peterson PI1 Mort Mortenson Defend’ Defamation Withdrawne upon Condition that ye Defend’ Mort Mortenson pay the Cost of Suite
Drunkenness of John Powell
wee of the Grand Inquest for the County of Chester Doe Present John Powell of Chester for being Drunke the 13th of this Instant and ffor swereing of oaths Allso ffor ttempting to Ride over severall Indian women and being with held Drew his knife thretned to rip them up: George Pearce ffore- man where Apon the bench Dismised the Juery with thanks for theyr Care Aboute it whereupon the fforsaid John Powell being before summoned by the sherife by virtue of a summons Dated the 13 of this above sd (said) Instant Appeared before the bench and submiting himselfe wholey to the bench order was that he should be fined to pay 5 s (shillings)ffor swering and 5 s for being Drunke and pay all Charges and to bring two sufncent men to be bound ffor his good behavior till the next County Court which two persons were Albert Hendrickson and John Beales
whoe Did binde theyr selfs Joyntly and severly by theyr Recognicencs In the sum of fourty pounds to this Court for his good behavior towards All the Kings ledge Peopell till the next County Court.
whoe Did binde theyr selfs Joyntly and severly by theyr Recognicencs In the sum of fourty pounds to this Court for his good behavior towards All the Kings ledge Peopell till the next County Court.
Trouble with dogs and keeping an Indian boy.
The Grand Inquest doe also Present Annie Neales Widdow for keeping and Harbouring Doggs that woories and kills her neighbours Hoggs as alsoe for Deteining in her Service one Indian Boy named Chato who with ye said Dogg have been found to woory and kill ye neighbours Hoggs as aforesd. Walter ffausett Prosecutor Witnesses Walter ffausett John Symcocke Junr The said Anne Neales came into Court and before her arreignm’ declared that ye said Dogg Belonged to one Peter Cox butt because shee is not willing to Pleade to the said Indicktment Putts herselfe upon ye mercy of ye King & Governour and Craves to be admitted to a fine upon which shee is fined tenne shillings and to pay all Court Charges with Shreifes and Clerks fees &c. Andrew ffriend became bound to ye King and Governour ye Indian Boyes Catos good abareing towards all ye Kings Leidge People.
Fornication
Thomas Eveson and Elizabeth Woodward
the Grand Inquest Prsented Thomas Eveson and Elizabeth Woodward for ye Sin of fornication
The said Thomas Eveson acknowledging ye fact and not willing to plead thereunto putts himselfe upon ye mercy of ye King and Governr upon which ye said Thomas Eveson with Richard Woodward become bound unto ye King and Governour in ye Penalty of 40£ that ye said Thomas Eveson shall Contract marriage with ye above named Elizabeth Woodward att or before ye 6th day of ye 5th moneth next.
—The Jurors for ye Proprietary and Governour by ye Kings Authority doe prsent That ffrancis Smith ye younger of ye sd (said) County of Chester yeoman on ye 6th day of ye fourth moneth last past in ye County aforesd with force did Comitt an assault upon Mary ye wife of James Bayless of ye sd County and her ye sd Mary then and there did violently force to ye Bed Side in her sd Husbands House with an intent to have Cornitted fornication with her And ye sd Jurors further present that ye sd ffrancis Smith did then and there swear two severall Oathes (by God) against ye Publick Peace and against ye forme of ye severall lawes in such Cases made and Provided.
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The said Thomas Eveson acknowledging ye fact and not willing to plead thereunto putts himselfe upon ye mercy of ye King and Governr upon which ye said Thomas Eveson with Richard Woodward become bound unto ye King and Governour in ye Penalty of 40£ that ye said Thomas Eveson shall Contract marriage with ye above named Elizabeth Woodward att or before ye 6th day of ye 5th moneth next.
—The Jurors for ye Proprietary and Governour by ye Kings Authority doe prsent That ffrancis Smith ye younger of ye sd (said) County of Chester yeoman on ye 6th day of ye fourth moneth last past in ye County aforesd with force did Comitt an assault upon Mary ye wife of James Bayless of ye sd County and her ye sd Mary then and there did violently force to ye Bed Side in her sd Husbands House with an intent to have Cornitted fornication with her And ye sd Jurors further present that ye sd ffrancis Smith did then and there swear two severall Oathes (by God) against ye Publick Peace and against ye forme of ye severall lawes in such Cases made and Provided.
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Thomas Poe and Sarah Buller
Chester Court ye 19th day of ye 11th month 1692 Wee the Grand Inquest by ye Kings Authority in ye name of ye Propriatery sent Thomas Poe and Sarah Buller for Comitting fornication
(Another case interrupts this case. The hearing then resumes.)
Thomas Pow Exhibited a petition to this Courtt The said Thomas pow & Sarah his wife was called to the bar to Answer to a presentment of ye Grand Jury for Counting fornication who submited themselves to the Court And the Court gave Judgment That the said Thomas & Sarah doe stand at the Comon whiping post and for the officer to declare theire offence to the People. And also fines them Twenty shillings and pay ye Courts Charges
(Another case interrupts this case. The hearing then resumes.)
Thomas Pow Exhibited a petition to this Courtt The said Thomas pow & Sarah his wife was called to the bar to Answer to a presentment of ye Grand Jury for Counting fornication who submited themselves to the Court And the Court gave Judgment That the said Thomas & Sarah doe stand at the Comon whiping post and for the officer to declare theire offence to the People. And also fines them Twenty shillings and pay ye Courts Charges
Mary Turberfield & John Eldridge
The grand Inquest Presentment of Mary Turberfield & John Eldridge ' The 27th of ye 12th moneth 1689 Wee of ye Grand Jury prsent Mary Turberfield Servant to Nathaniel Evans for that about the begenning of ye 3d moneth last Shee Comitted fornication with John Eldridge in a Boate upon ye Biver and confesseth her Selfe by ye said Act with Child And in Confirmation of ye truth hereof the said John Eldridge Confesseth ye same whome for that Cause wee likewise psentm upon which they are both Called to ye Barr where they made their appearance and upon her farther confession & submission a Jury of Women whose names are under written ordered to Inspect the said Mary Turberfields Condition The names of ye Jury Impanelled
Lidra Wade
Sarah Usher
Hester Bawlence
Mary Carter
Jane Haukes
Elizabeth Musgrove"
Mary Bayliss
Elizabeth Hastings
Mary Little Jane Moulder
Mary Hodskinns
Anne Saunderlaine
They make returne that they Cannot finde shee is with Child neither be they Sure Shee is not Whereupon her master was ordered to Defray this prsent Court Charge and to see her forth Coming att ye next County Court.
John Eldridge Confesseth the fact in Open Court and Humbly Craves (by his Petition) the favour and Mercy of ye Court Judgment is hereupon awarded that he Pay three pounds to ye Governour for a fine and to remaine in ye Shreifes Custody till paid and to give Security that if shee proove with Child according to time to defray all Cost and Charge that may accrue to her master Thereby as alsoe to discharge the Township of ye Child.
Nathaniel Evans Petitioned for a Remedy against all his great Charge and Expence which his Servant Mary Turberfield had Contracted (by her often running away) according to his Schedull delivered into this Court as alsoe for his Charge and Expence this prsent Court Whereupon Judgment is awarded that shee serve one year and a halfe with her sd master to make good his Damage and Charge and absence by running away after ye Expiration of her Indenture.
Mary Turberfield was Called to ye Barr and Judgment awarded to receive 10 Strips upon her bear backe well laid on att ye Comon Whipping Post att Chester The aforesaid John Eldridge was called to ye bar and pleaded Gilty whereupon Judgment was awarded that hee should pay a fine of Three pounds and all the Court Charges and bee discharged
Att a Court held att Chester for ye County of Chester ye 3d day in ye 1 st weeke of ye 10th Mo 1689
John Simco
Lidra Wade
Sarah Usher
Hester Bawlence
Mary Carter
Jane Haukes
Elizabeth Musgrove"
Mary Bayliss
Elizabeth Hastings
Mary Little Jane Moulder
Mary Hodskinns
Anne Saunderlaine
They make returne that they Cannot finde shee is with Child neither be they Sure Shee is not Whereupon her master was ordered to Defray this prsent Court Charge and to see her forth Coming att ye next County Court.
John Eldridge Confesseth the fact in Open Court and Humbly Craves (by his Petition) the favour and Mercy of ye Court Judgment is hereupon awarded that he Pay three pounds to ye Governour for a fine and to remaine in ye Shreifes Custody till paid and to give Security that if shee proove with Child according to time to defray all Cost and Charge that may accrue to her master Thereby as alsoe to discharge the Township of ye Child.
Nathaniel Evans Petitioned for a Remedy against all his great Charge and Expence which his Servant Mary Turberfield had Contracted (by her often running away) according to his Schedull delivered into this Court as alsoe for his Charge and Expence this prsent Court Whereupon Judgment is awarded that shee serve one year and a halfe with her sd master to make good his Damage and Charge and absence by running away after ye Expiration of her Indenture.
Mary Turberfield was Called to ye Barr and Judgment awarded to receive 10 Strips upon her bear backe well laid on att ye Comon Whipping Post att Chester The aforesaid John Eldridge was called to ye bar and pleaded Gilty whereupon Judgment was awarded that hee should pay a fine of Three pounds and all the Court Charges and bee discharged
Att a Court held att Chester for ye County of Chester ye 3d day in ye 1 st weeke of ye 10th Mo 1689
John Simco
Susannah Willard
Ralph Dracot being Presented and Indited By the Grand Inquest for Wickedly lustfully unlawfully and incestuously Defile the Body of Susannah Willard his Daughter in Law and wth her had Carnall copulation and Did Comit Adultry whereby the Said Susannah Did conceive and was Delivred of a Bastard man Child Upon wch he is Called to the Barre and pleades not Gilty and putt himselfe upon God And the Country And being Called the Second Tyme he pleaded Gilty to the Inditment Judgemt past that the said Ralph Dracot Shall forfit One halfe of his Estate and Suffer Imprisonment One whole yeare And that he Take Care in bringing up of the Child And pay all Charges Boath for his Daughter in Law as well as his Owne Ordred that a Warret be granted to the County praisers to Praise the Estate and make Retorne thereof To James SandiIands and John Bristow The Court Appoints Thomas Varnaml Joshua Hestings ^Appraisers Robert Borrows J And for the Said Ralph Dracot Breaking of Prison Ordered that he appeares att the next Court and to finde Two Surityes Chester County
The Grand Inquest of the Body of the County of Chester by the King and Queens Authority for the IIonble Wm Penn Propriatary and Governor of the Province of Pennsilvania and Territory's att a Session held for the County of Chester this 3d of the Fourth Month 1690 doe present and Indict Susannah Willard of the County aforesaid that she not haveing the feare of God before her Eyes did Wickedly Lustfully and unlawfully and incestuously Commit ffornication wth Ralph Dracot her ffather in Law wdiereby she the said Susannah did Conceive and was delivered of a Bastard man Childe on or about the 6th day of the 1st month Last past in the Township of Marple in the County aforesaid to the High dishoner of God and Great Scandall of the Goverment against ye peace of our Soveraign Lord and Lady the lung and Queen and to the Dishonour of our Propriatary and his Dominion and Govemi1 and Expresly against the Statute in that Case Expresly made and Provided.
Upon which ye Said Susannah Willard is Called to the Barre and pleades Gilty to this Indictm1 Judgemt Past that the sd Susannah Willard One halfe of her estate to the Governer and if none found she be Inprisined One whole yeare and Kept att hard Labar to be for the use of the Publick.
The Grand Inquest of the Body of the County of Chester by the King and Queens Authority for the IIonble Wm Penn Propriatary and Governor of the Province of Pennsilvania and Territory's att a Session held for the County of Chester this 3d of the Fourth Month 1690 doe present and Indict Susannah Willard of the County aforesaid that she not haveing the feare of God before her Eyes did Wickedly Lustfully and unlawfully and incestuously Commit ffornication wth Ralph Dracot her ffather in Law wdiereby she the said Susannah did Conceive and was delivered of a Bastard man Childe on or about the 6th day of the 1st month Last past in the Township of Marple in the County aforesaid to the High dishoner of God and Great Scandall of the Goverment against ye peace of our Soveraign Lord and Lady the lung and Queen and to the Dishonour of our Propriatary and his Dominion and Govemi1 and Expresly against the Statute in that Case Expresly made and Provided.
Upon which ye Said Susannah Willard is Called to the Barre and pleades Gilty to this Indictm1 Judgemt Past that the sd Susannah Willard One halfe of her estate to the Governer and if none found she be Inprisined One whole yeare and Kept att hard Labar to be for the use of the Publick.
Bastardy
Anne Weaver of Astone Widdow being on ye 29th day of y9 2d moneth Convickted before John Simcocke and John Bristow Justices Sitting att Chester for having two Bastard Children shee there Confessed ye fact & that William Weaver of Boston in New-England was the true father of them upon which by her surtyes Joseph Richards and Nathaniel Richards shee was bound over to this Court and accordingly made her appearance and was Indickted The grand Inquest] Shee being attested in Open Court de- finde ye bill Jclared as before & that y8 abousd William Weaver was ye true father of her two Children Her midwife and mother Jone Richards'] Whereupon Judgment being attested declareth that att ye ( is granted that shee time of her labour shee Confessed ye f receive tenne strips Same to her J upon her bear Backe well laid on and halfe ye Charge of her owne and Wm Weavers tryall William Weaver of Boston in New England upon ye attestation of Anne Weaver that he was ye true father of her two Bastard Children was for ye same apprehended and brought before John Bristow Where upon Examination he denyed the fact and was by his Surtyes Albertus Henrickson and John Child bound over to this Court and accordingly made his ap- pearance and was Indickted
The grand Inquest f Whereupon he is Called to the Barr andfinde ye bill Pleads not Guilty and by Petition putts himselfe upon ye mercy of ye King and Governour. Whereupon Judgment is awarded that he should give in Security that ye Children should be brought up till they can Shift for themselves and to pay 20s for a fine to ye Governour John Bristow PI1 fin an action of ye case John Anderson andl t A upon Attachment in ye his mother Anderson] [hands of John Gibbons The Plaintife declares for 2£ 12s 6 d due by account and Craves Judgment for ye same with reasonable damages and Cost of Suite Upon which Judgment is awarded for 15 bushells of Wheate in ye hands of sd John Gibbons
Wife Stealing
Chester County December ye 11th 1695 we The Grand In- quest by the kings Authority Doe Present Robert Roman of Chichester And Ann Buffington the wife of Richard Buffington : the said Robert Roman Takeing the wife of Henry Hastings Away ffrom her husband and Children and Convaying her Away And the said Ann Buffington being Confederat with the said Robert Roman : Walter Martin foreman
Indentured Servants
George fforeman Complaining to this Court that his Servant maide Jane Jones by her often running away taking up and other charges Depending with loss of time stands Damnified to ye vallue of nine pounds six pence upon his and Samuel Rowlands Proofe thereof shee is ordered for satisfaction to serve her said master or his assignes from ye Termination of her Indenture dated ye 22d of Aprill 1686 until! ye full end and terme of four years next ensuing.
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Jury called as in ye Case of Robert Eyre and William Tally Except Jacob Chandler for Thomas Cartwright : nonsuite A negro man and a White Woman servant being taken up by John Bradshaw Nathaniel Lukins Isacke Warner and Samuell Rowland and brought before John Simcocke, Justice in Commission for runaways, Who upon Examination finding they had noe lawfull Passe Comitted them to Prison and this day was delivered by order of Court into ye Custody of Thomas Smith and John Henson with a Black nag.
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John Martin being presented by the Grand Inquest That the Said John Martin of Chichester Weavor for that he the said John Martin having not the feare of God Before his Eyes did on the One and Twentieth day of the first Month Last past felonishly take Steal and Carry Away out of the Dweling house of Thomas Browne John in Chichester fourteen Drest Deer skins att the vallew of Thirty Shillings in Contempt of the King and Queen and their Lawes and the Propriatary and Governer William Penn his Dominion and Govermt Upon wch the said John Martin was Called to the Barre and pleaded not Gilty and putt himself upon God and the Country
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(John Martin was found guilty because they found his unique footprints.)
a Shoue wth nailes and Clampes of Iron soe we ffollowed the Trecking down the syde of the
ffence and then along the Swamp untill we Came upon Wm Clayto new Cleared feild and there in the Swamp in a hollow Tree we found fourteen drest Skines then we went to James Brownes house and toke along wth us The Mesure of the print of the shoue and mesured John Martins and it Seemed to us to be the very Same and sd Martin seemed to be startled att my taking his shoue of Andros ffreind being attested.
The Jurey ffind him Gilty of the Inditm John Martin being Called to the Barr and Judgment Awarded That he be Sould into a nother province to make good all Damages of the parson agreevied and his Masters Charge wth all Lawfull Charges and Three fould according to Law and Receive 39 Lashes well Laide One on his Bare back att ye Carts Tayl
Ordred that John Martin be Sould for Eight yeares Service to Make Satisfaction Three ffould To Thomas Browne John for Stealing 14 deare Skines and the Charges of Court being 6 lb 12s 2d due ye Sheriff Clarkes Wittness and Kings Attorny and 17lb 07 : 9-1/2 d due before to his Master James Browne for service due on Indenture and Moneys paid to Ellizabeth Looke to make Satisfaction for Goods Stollen by John Martin from her.
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Jury called as in ye Case of Robert Eyre and William Tally Except Jacob Chandler for Thomas Cartwright : nonsuite A negro man and a White Woman servant being taken up by John Bradshaw Nathaniel Lukins Isacke Warner and Samuell Rowland and brought before John Simcocke, Justice in Commission for runaways, Who upon Examination finding they had noe lawfull Passe Comitted them to Prison and this day was delivered by order of Court into ye Custody of Thomas Smith and John Henson with a Black nag.
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John Martin being presented by the Grand Inquest That the Said John Martin of Chichester Weavor for that he the said John Martin having not the feare of God Before his Eyes did on the One and Twentieth day of the first Month Last past felonishly take Steal and Carry Away out of the Dweling house of Thomas Browne John in Chichester fourteen Drest Deer skins att the vallew of Thirty Shillings in Contempt of the King and Queen and their Lawes and the Propriatary and Governer William Penn his Dominion and Govermt Upon wch the said John Martin was Called to the Barre and pleaded not Gilty and putt himself upon God and the Country
….
(John Martin was found guilty because they found his unique footprints.)
a Shoue wth nailes and Clampes of Iron soe we ffollowed the Trecking down the syde of the
ffence and then along the Swamp untill we Came upon Wm Clayto new Cleared feild and there in the Swamp in a hollow Tree we found fourteen drest Skines then we went to James Brownes house and toke along wth us The Mesure of the print of the shoue and mesured John Martins and it Seemed to us to be the very Same and sd Martin seemed to be startled att my taking his shoue of Andros ffreind being attested.
The Jurey ffind him Gilty of the Inditm John Martin being Called to the Barr and Judgment Awarded That he be Sould into a nother province to make good all Damages of the parson agreevied and his Masters Charge wth all Lawfull Charges and Three fould according to Law and Receive 39 Lashes well Laide One on his Bare back att ye Carts Tayl
Ordred that John Martin be Sould for Eight yeares Service to Make Satisfaction Three ffould To Thomas Browne John for Stealing 14 deare Skines and the Charges of Court being 6 lb 12s 2d due ye Sheriff Clarkes Wittness and Kings Attorny and 17lb 07 : 9-1/2 d due before to his Master James Browne for service due on Indenture and Moneys paid to Ellizabeth Looke to make Satisfaction for Goods Stollen by John Martin from her.
Murder (unpunished?)
Henry Renolds PLt (plaintif) in an Action of Scandal and Justa Anderson Def't defamation Jury as on the foregoing Action James Saunderlaine being Attested declareth that Justa Anderson being in his Company att Chester told him that he did see Henry Renolds beate his servt and the next night after shee dyed. Thomas Persons being Attested declareth that he being in the house of Henry Renolds he the sd Henry did in his presents lift up the tongs and threatned to stricke his maide for not eating such things as was provided for her William Haukes being Attested declareth that he being in the house of Henry Renolds he heard Justa Anderson say that he did see Henry Renolds beate and stricke his maide and afterward Carried her into another roome where shee dyed Wm Cornell being Attested saith that Henry Renolds did Beate his maide with a Broome staffe and afterward kicked her as she was by ye fire and further saith not. Wooly Rosen being Attested declareth that he coining to Henry Renolds his maide asked him for some milke and after- ward Henry Renolds strucke her one Blow with a broome Staffe asking her whether there was not victualls enough in the House Anneka Saunderlaine being attested declareth that shee did hear Justa Anderson aske Wooly Rosen whether he did not see Henry Renolds stricke his maide his answer was he did and further saith not Prudence Clayton being Attested declareth that after Henry Renolds maide was dead shee was sent for to lay her out butt doth not remember that shee did see any manner of hurt about her and further saith not William Haukes being Attested declareth that in the Evening he coming from worke found Henry Renolds maide by his fires side and afterward had her to Bed and Sate by her all the night and further saith not. Robert Moulder being Attested declareth that that night Henry Renolds maide dyed he see the maide sleeping by ye fires side and some time afterward shee went to bed after which a relation came to him that the maide would dye that night James Browne being Attested declareth that he and George Stroud mett at Wooly Rosens house where was Justa Anderson and the said Stroud asked Justa Anderson why he had scandalized Henry Renolds who then replyed that he did see Henry Renolds beat and kicke his maide and that he saw her alive no more. The Jury give the verdicke to the Defendt with Cost and Charge of suite and six pence Damage Whereupon Judgment is awarded
Geomancy & Witchcraft
Chester County December ye 11th: 1695: Wee the Grand Inquest by the Kings Authority Presents Robert Roman of Chichester ffor practising Geomancy According to hidon (See the next inquest below for the meaning of Hidon.) And Divineng by A sticke: Walter Martin fforeman
Chester County December ye 11th 1695: wee the Grand Inquest by the kings Authority Presents these following Books Hidons Temple of wisdom which Teaches Geomancy And scots Discovery of whichcraft And Cornelias Agrippas Teaching negromancy : Walter Martin fforeman : The Court orders that as many of sd books as can be found be Brought to the next Court: